InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of a Rose ❯ Obsession ( Chapter 5 )

Previously:

 

“Oh my God,” Kagome whispered hoarsely to Sesshoumaru, her face paled in fear and shock. “Someone tried to kill us.”

“No, Kagome.” Sesshoumaru corrected, his voice was smooth and calm, covering the shock and concern that he was feeling. “Someone tried to kill you.”

 

Chapter 5: Obsession

 

Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru in disbelief when his words registered her mind. She opened her mouth but the words died at her throat as she realized that he wasn't joking. The frighten screams from others slowly quieted down while everyone turned to look at the glimmering bullet, which lay motionlessly on the carpeted floor. However, the piercing wails of police sirens broke the sudden stillness of the room as police cars arrived to the grand restaurant. Dressed in their usual uniforms, half a dozen officers walked into the building and slowly inspected the shattered window and bullet.

“Must have been a random shooting,” a policeman pointed out in a lazy tone of voice.

Sesshoumaru looked at the man with distaste before disagreeing, “It wasn't.”

“Who knows?” the officer responded and shrugged. “Kids these days always do stupid things.”

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he growled, “I saw the shooting; it was purposely aimed, not random.”

“Alright,” the officer said, yawning. “I will set up an investigation as soon as possible.” He then glanced at the shaken singer, whose face was still pale in shock. “Why don't you take this young lady home for now,” he suggested to Sesshoumaru. “And give her some good rest.”

Sesshoumaru ignored the man but nevertheless, went over to Kagome and gently took her hand. “Let's go back to the mansion.”

Kagome nodded and slowly followed the bachelor as he led her away from the crowd of customers and officers. Walking out the front door of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk, the chilling night breeze hit the singer's bare arm, causing shivers to run down her body. Seeing that Kagome was cold, Sesshoumaru shrugged off his black jacket and draped it over her shoulder.

“I don't want you to catch a cold,” he said to her indifferently.

She smiled sweetly at him before snuggling closer to his jacket, savoring the warmth from Sesshoumaru that still lingered among the fabric.

“I am sure that it was just a random shooting,” Kagome's angelic voice echoed through the stillness of the night, sounding more like as if she was trying to convince herself rather than him.

“Perhaps,” Sesshoumaru answered back, although he knew that it wasn't true.

 

Just then, a yellow taxi pulled over to the sidewalk and stopped at where were standing. Being the gentleman that he always is, the bachelor opened the door politely, letting the bachelorette get in first. Smiling in thanks, Kagome stepped into the back of the taxi and settled down uncomfortably on the over stuffed seats. Sesshoumaru sat down next to her and closed the door.

“To the bachelorette's villa,” he ordered.

The driver from up front nodded and started the engine, driving the car away from the restaurant. Kagome looked out the window and glanced at the large building, feeling much relieved to finally leave the place where danger still seemed to linger near.

 

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Hidden behind a dark alley directly in front of the restaurant, Kagura watched in silent hate as a shaken Kagome and a calm Sesshoumaru stepped into a taxi and drove away. Glaring at the spot where the singer used to stand, Kagura's eyes narrowed in anger. Unnoticed by anyone of her presence, she tugged her small handgun back into her belt, and pulled off her black ski mask. Turning around, Kagura quietly walked off into the shadows of the night. `You were lucky this time, Higurashi. But next time, I won't miss.' She thought and chuckled bitterly as a devilish smirk tainted her face. `Sesshoumaru belongs to me.'

 

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After the taxi drove them back to the mansion, Kagome bade Sesshoumaru goodnight and went back to her room. Exhausted, she slowly trotted up the stairs and opened the room's door, eager for some sleep. Although it was far from her usual bedtime, the singer was both physically and emotionally drained from the night's event. As Kagome entered the room, she noticed that all the other bachelorettes were away except for a blushing Sango, whom was in the middle of talking on her cell phone. Noticing that Kagome was in the room, Sango muttered a quick goodbye and immediately snapped her phone shut.

“Um…hey, Kag.” Sango greeted her, sounding a bit nervous.

“Hi,” Kagome said. “Where are the other girls?”

“I think they went to a pool party or something,” Sango shrugged.

Kagome nodded before grinning knowingly. “Who were you talking to?”

Sango blushed and smiled innocently. “N-No one,” she stuttered.

Kagome arched an eyebrow, not believing her answer and waited patiently for Sango to tell her.

“Alright,” Sango said in defeat, her face doing a rather good job of resembling the color of a ripe tomato. “Miroku somehow managed to get my number and I was just talking to him.”

The singer grinned in victory, although her eyes were about to droop down in weariness. “I knew it!” And with that said, she went to the bathroom and changed out of her dress, and into her sleeping clothes, which consisted of a tee shirt and shorts. After finished brushing her teeth and combing her hair, Kagome came out and lazily flopped onto her soft, comfortable bed.

“Sleeping already?” Sango asked her.

“Yeah,” Kagome murmured, her face buried in the feathery pillow.

Sango looked at the singer, knowing that she should let her rest but was unable to control her curiosity. “How was your date?” she asked her.

Kagome slowly lifted her head from the pillow and looked at her friend. “It was going great,” she responded. “Until someone came and tried to shoot me, although the police suspected that it was a random shooting.”

Sango's mouth dropped open in shock. “Someone tried to what?!” she exclaimed in disbelief.

“Someone tried to shoot me,” Kagome repeated.

“Oh Kag, are you hurt?” Sango questioned in concern as she went over to her friend.

Kagome smiled slightly before replying, “Don't worry; I am fine. I just need some sleep.”

Sango nodded and decided to stop talking, giving the singer some peace and quiet so that she could get some much needed rest.

 

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Blending into the night with her dark clothing, Kagura walked along the streets of New York until she arrived to a small, grayish and old apartment. With distaste written across her face, she slowly opened the rusted brown door and entered the aging building. Inside, endless cobwebs and thick layers of dust greeted her as she made her way up the flights of stairs until she reached the top floor. Dusting off some spider webs that managed to fall on her clothes, Kagura knocked on the door with the room number `25' written on top. Slowly, the wooden door creaked opened noisily and from behind, it revealed a man with long, wavy, ink black hair. The moonlight cast an unearthly glow on his deadly pale skin and his tainted, impure aura radiated with malice and greed.

“Welcome cousin,” the man's deep, smooth voice rang out through the room.

Kagura nodded in greeting and stepped into his apartment. She carefully surveyed the room, inspecting the worn furniture and cracked walls before settling her gaze at the cemented floor, where bits and pieces of ripped newspaper laid scattered on top.

“Why did you sent me here, Naraku?” Kagura asked.

“I have a job for you,” the man known as Naraku replied, his tone deep and serious.

“And what might that be?” Kagura snapped impatiently, although she knew full well that it was either going to be murdering or kidnapping.

“Impatient today, are you not?” Naraku chuckled, his chilling voice sent shivers running down her spine. “I want you to kill Sesshoumaru Taisho for me”

The bachelorette hesitated, knowing that she, herself, has no desire to kill him. “Why do you wish for his death?”

“Sesshoumaru is taking up too much of Kagome's attention,” Naraku responded before continuing, “What's the matter, cousin?” he asked her, his tone dripping with mockery. “Are you not willing to kill him?”

When Kagura refused to meet his eyes and remained silent, Naraku chuckled humorlessly again and walked to a cracked window. “You are obsess with Sesshoumaru, are you not?” he more pointed out than asked as he looked downward, into the streets of New York. “Just as I am obsess with Kagome.”

Looking away from the window, the man turned and faced his cousin. “Isn't it interesting, indeed?” Naraku asked her but waited for no reply. “You want Sesshoumaru, while I want Kagome. You desire for her death, while I desire for his.”

The apartment fell quiet again, occasionally broken by the passing of cars that could be heard through the broken window.

“I have changed my mine,” Naraku began, his deep voice lacing with greed and want. “Kidnap Kagome instead and bring her to me. But should you harm her, Kagura; it shall be your death.”

The corner of Kagura's lips curled into a smile and her eyes darkened in amusement, obviously pleased with Naraku's change of mine. “Yes, Naraku. It shall be done.”

 

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The next morning, while Sesshoumaru was away on a skating date with Eri, Sango decided to take Kagome out on a shopping trip in order to cheer the singer up from last night's event. Once again, Kagome had to pull on her usual make shift disguise, which consisted of a hat and a pair of stylish sunglasses so that no one would recognize her. Grabbing their purses, the two friends took a taxi ride and arrived to the local mall.

“What should we buy first?” Kagome asked excitedly as she looked at the countless varieties of shops.

Sango glanced around the mall before spotting what she was looking for. “Shoes!” she exclaimed in a battle cry while charging towards a small shop that specialized in selling shoes.

Kagome giggled at her friend's energy before running to catch up with her.

 

And so, after what seemed to be hours of extreme shopping, the two girls finally dropped their numerous bags onto the floor and propped themselves onto a chair in the food stand.

“Whew, that was some shopping that we did,” the singer said as she looked at the countless bags.

Sango grinned sheepishly, “I couldn't resist; those shoes were just begging for me to buy them.”

Kagome laughed along with Sango before going up to the counter and ordering a late lunch.

As the two friends sat at their table, enjoying their meal, Kagome's nagging instinct suddenly kicked in and told her that she was being followed. Looking around, the singer searched to see if anyone was following or staring at her, but found none.

“Is everything okay?” Sango asked, her chocolate brown eyes swirling with concern.

“Yeah, I am fine.” Kagome replied with a small smile. “I just feel like someone was following me.”

Sango looked around to see if it was true, but everyone was going about on their own ways, paying no heed to them.

“I don't see any stalkers,” Sango said with a shrug.

“Must have been my imagination then,” Kagome answered and laughed nervously. But somehow, it just doesn't feel right. Besides, her instinct was never wrong before.

 

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Once again unnoticed by the two girls, Kagura was silently following them; analyzing their every move and waiting for the right chance to capture the singer. But knowing that she could never kidnap Kagome when Sango is around with her, Kagura decided to wait for a while longer. After all, there was no need to rush; Kagome was going to be out of the picture any time soon.

 

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For the next couple of days, nothing interesting happened to Kagome or Sango. All they ever did was hanging out around the mansion and finding ways to kill time. But soon, it was the last day of the week again, and that means….

 

“Where's my dress?”

“Where are my pins?”

“Have anyone seen my shoes?”

“Who stole my eyeliner?!”

“Oh my Gosh, Sesshoumaru is coming!”

Kagome sighed as she watched the other bachelorettes rushed around the room like maniacs, trying to find their necessary items and pampering themselves to get ready in time. Yup, it was time for the Rose Ceremony again and ever since the dinner date, Kagome was never able to find time to talk to Sesshoumaru…. but truth be told, it was Sesshoumaru, who never found time to talk with Kagome for he was too occupied going on dates with the other bachelorettes. Dressed in a fiery red gown with a thick string that wraps around her neck and dips low on the back, showing a fair yet decent amount of skin, the singer was once again the picture of beauty and elegance. Searching carefully through her jewelry box, Kagome found the necklace that she was looking for. It was a small white pendant shaped like an upward crescent moon with an elegant, sapphire crystal embedded in the middle. Attached to the pendant was a long, thin, delicate white gold chain for wrapping around the neck. It was the necklace that Sesshoumaru gave her for her birthday, over a decade ago. Holding it carefully, Kagome slowly encircled it around her neck and closely examined it on the mirror. Looking at her reflection, Kagome smiled softy and delicately touched the pendant. It had been eleven years since she wore this necklace…eleven years since her relationship with Sesshoumaru had ended. Straightening the chain and positioning the pendant in the middle of her chest, Kagome stepped out the room along with Sango and headed to the outdoor garden, where once again, the ceremony would take place.

Countless flowers and burning candles greeted the bachelorettes as they walked through the garden, stepping on rose pedals that were purposely scattered across the ground. Finally, they arrived to a small clearing, surrounded by rosebushes and brightened by the soft glow of candlelight. In the center, there stood Sesshoumaru, looking like a fearsome yet deadly handsome angel in his dark tuxedo. His perfectly sculptured face and smoldering eyes were cold and emptied of emotions, as he glanced at the remaining 15 bachelorettes.

“Good evening, ladies,” Mr. McNeil greeted them. (A/N: I am going to call him Myouga from now on).

“Evening,” some of the bachelorettes greeted back.

“Before we begin the ceremony,” Myouga began. “Sesshoumaru would like to have a one to one, private talk with a few of you.” Looking at the 15 faces, the host continued, “Kagome, Sesshoumaru would like to talk to you first.”

Giving him a smile, Kagome walked up to the handsome bachelor.

“Follow me,” Sesshoumaru said to her as he led her away from the other bachelorettes and to an elegantly decorated bench.

Sitting down on the bench with Sesshoumaru next to her, Kagome smoothed the wrinkles on her dress and looked at him. “What do you want to talk about?” she asked him.

However, the bachelor didn't answer; instead, he continued to stare at her in an intense gaze.

When Sesshoumaru saw Kagome, unnoticeably, his breath was nearly taken away by her delicate beauty. But what surprised him the most, was the silver necklace that she wore around her neck. Reaching out, he gently brushed his fingers on the crescent shaped pendant and looked at the bachelorette straight in the eyes. “You kept it?” he questioned her.

Kagome smiled and a soft blush rose to her cheeks. “Why won't I keep it?”

Sesshoumaru allowed a rare smile to graze his face before it quickly vanished, leaving Kagome with no trace that he had ever smiled except for her memories.

“How have you been doing?” Sesshoumaru asked her in his usual, indifferent voice.

“If you are talking about the shooting, I can assure you that I am fine.” Kagome said and looked at him. “No need to worry.”

The bachelor nodded. “It could have been a random shooting,” Sesshoumaru began, his cold voice softened slightly. “Although I doubt that it is. But whatever happens, Kagome, promise me that you will be careful.”

The singer smiled again and lightly patted his arm to reassure him. “Don't worry, Sesshoumaru. I'll be fine.”

 

After Sesshoumaru had finished his private talk with Cherry and then Ayame, he went back to the garden and stood next to the small table, where on top, was a plate with 8, freshly cut roses. (A/N: okay, I know that it's suppose to have 10 roses but I wanted to eliminate a few more people because there is just too many bachelorettes, and I can't keep up with the dates…sorry). Myouga went back to the bachelor's side and nodded at the 15 bachelorettes.

“This is the second Rose Ceremony,” he said. “Unfortunately, seven of you will be going home tonight.” Finishing his short speech, the producer patted Sesshoumaru on the shoulder and walked off to the side.

“Once again, thanks for sharing your time with me,” Sesshoumaru began, his deep voice was smooth and formal, giving no hints of his emotions. “If you receive a rose but doesn't want it, please refuse it. If you don't receive a rose, then I wish you the best of luck in finding your future husband.”

Picking up the first rose with its red petals half opened in bloom, the bachelor carefully held it in between his fingers and looked at the singer. “Kagome,” he called.

Receiving jealous glares from other bachelorettes, Kagome walked up to Sesshoumaru and faced him.

“Kagome, will you accept this rose,” Sesshoumaru asked her.

The singer smiled at him wholeheartedly and nodded. Giving the bachelor a small hug, the bachelorette daintily gasped the flower in between her delicate fingers and made her way back to the group of bachelorettes.

The next person to receive a rose was Ayame, followed by Sango, Jessica, Nicole, Eva, and then Sophia.

After Sesshoumaru had handed out the seventh rose, Myouga walked back to the bachelor's side and glanced at the eighth and final rose, which lay alone on the glimmering, golden plate. “This is the last rose,” he said. “Sesshoumaru, when you're ready.” And with that said, he walked off to the side again.

Sesshoumaru took a deep breath, pretending to act nervous in front of the T.V cameras and picked up the last rose, slowly calling out, “Lucy.”

The bachelorette named Lucy sighed in relief before walking up to the bachelor and giving him a big smile. “For a second there, I thought you forgot about me,” she said and winked at him.

Sesshoumaru nodded but displayed no emotion. Instead, he held out the rose and asked her, “Lucy, will you accept this rose?”

The bachelorette smiled. “Of course, sweetheart.” She said as she reached out and gently gasped the rose, careful not to prick her fingers from its many thorns.

Walking back to Sesshoumaru's side, Myouga looked at the seven, crestfallen bachelorettes that didn't received a rose before saying, “Take a moment, and say your goodbyes.”

Slowly, one by one, the women walked up to the bachelor and quietly bade him farewell, along with a few tears and some `good lucks' in finding his future wife. When Kagura walked up to Sesshoumaru, instead of leaking with tears like the other bachelorettes, her eyes were blazed in anger and denial.

“How can you do this to me?!” Kagura screamed at him. “I am destined to be your wife!” Consumed by uncontrollable rage, she raised her hand up into the air, preparing to slap him. However, Sesshoumaru immediately caught her hand in his strong grip before it could strike his face.

“I believe that I have already made it clear to you,” he began calmly. “I have no intention of making you my wife.”

“Traitor!” the angry bachelorette spat before roughly yanking her hand away from his grip and shoving Sesshoumaru backward.

“Kagura, if you don't leave now, then I will have to call the security,” Myouga came and warned her, slightly taken aback by the bachelorette's angry and violent behavior.

Kagura snorted and glared bitterly at the bachelor and host. “This is not over, Sesshoumaru.” she began, narrowing her eyes. “I will be back.” Turning around, she roughly shoved past the camera crews that were filming everything and stormed out the garden.

 

“She sure took it hard,” Sango quietly whispered to Kagome as they watched Kagura's retreating form.

Kagome nodded, feeling a slight sympathy for the rejected bachelorette. The circle of remaining, silent bachelorettes all held a shock and stunned look on their faces as they witnessed Kagura's rage, while Sesshoumaru just appeared to be plain bored while he straightened his tie.

“Well…” Myouga began nervously, trying to brighten the mood. “How about if we hand out some wine?”

 

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Carelessly, Kagura roughly stuffed her belongings into her suitcase before walking out the mansion and towards the sleek, black limousine that was waiting to take her home. Taking one last glance at the large building, a smirk graced the eliminated bachelorette's face as her eyes once again blazed in burning anger. “This is not over yet, Sesshoumaru.” Kagura whispered, her words carried away by the howling wind as she licked her lips. “If I can't have you, no one will. And certainly not Higurashi.”

 

 

A/N: ::drum roll:: and that's the end of chapter 5! I hope you like it.

 

Dear Melica,

Oh my Gosh, you worked in television before?! That is so awesome!! Yeah…about me rushing the last chapter…well, you see… I was getting impatient with starting something more interesting for the story. So I am really, truly sorry if you found it very rush…I will try to stop doing that. Umm…. to answer your question; I know nothing about reality T.V rules but I doubt that anyone is allow to just show up like what Miroku did. Thanks for informing me about my formatting, although nothing seemed to be wrong when I viewed it. By the way, I would really like to give you a BIG hug for your constant support and tips; it really encouraged me to do the best that I can for my story. Once again, I really appreciated it.

 

confused mentor

::sniff:: thank you for your praises, it was very encouraging. Heheh…yeah, I will try and stop making the clothes white. I hope you like this chapter.

 

Kimonolover

I am sorry that I never took the time to properly thank you for your previous reviews…they were very nice. However, I can't really tell if your last review was a flame or not. But I must say, telling someone to go to hell is not very kind. I hope that you will find this chapter more….enjoyable.

 

Dancing-by-moonlight

Thanks for understanding and pointing out Sesshoumaru's OOC part. Yup, when you told me, I quickly went back and changed it. Thanks!

 

 

Well….that's the review responses for today…sorry, but I am too lazy to include more. I am under heavy pressure and stress this week so please forgive me if this chapter seems to be a bit `off'. Hope you like it and once again, please review.